Obama Supporters Use Latest Debt Projections to Press for Constitutional Amendment Allowing Involuntary Servitude

Days after the independent Congressional Budget Office released its latest public debt projections, supporters of President Obama and his massive spending policies launched a campaign to repeal the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibits involuntary servitude, so Americans can shoulder an even larger tax burden.

“The CBO report shows debt is now growing faster than gross domestic product,” said one campaign organizer. “That’s going to require dramatically higher taxes that will essentially make taxpayers indentured servants to the government, which is something the Thirteenth Amendment doesn’t allow.”

Each year, Americans have to devote about three-and-a-half months’ worth of earned income to pay mandatory government taxes, and they’re expected to have to pay much more than that in the future under current debt projections.

Rally participants waved signs saying “Support the Income Tax!” “Embrace the Debt!” and “It’s Not Involuntary Servitude If We Choose It!”

Supporters of the repeal said that since it usually takes about seven years to ratify a constitutional amendment, “we need to start the process right away, before the public debt taxpayers owe doubles by 2019.”

Associated articles: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/27/AR2009062701979.html; http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24660.html; http://www.american.com/archive/2009/september/making-bush-look-like-a-piker

Obama Orders Indefinite Detention of Officials from Previous Administration So They Can Continue Policies He Opposed During the Presidential Campaign

Washington, D.C.--Since entering office, President Obama has continued the previous Administration’s extraordinary rendition program, continued the policy of indefinitely detaining terrorism suspects without trial, reaffirmed the previous Administration’s use of the state secrets doctrine to protect national security information from being disclosed in lawsuits, and left open the option of maintaining military commission trials.

Yesterday, Obama signed an executive order authorizing the indefinite detention of national security officials who served during the previous Administration.

Sources say these former officials are locked in underground offices and chained to their desks with ankle bracelets, where they will continue implementing their post-9/11 national security policies in secret, without a trial in federal court.

"These officials thought they could take a break from the intense task of securing Americans' safety as a new administration took over," said one source. "They didn't expect to be snatched up by black-ops, hooded, and sent to isolated anti-terrorism research facilities."

One lawyer for an official who served in the previous administration said his client was sitting in his study, quietly reviewing subpoenas served on him by radical "human rights" groups, when three dark-clad soldiers power-sawed through the ceiling and airlifted him away.

According to the lawyer, "I mean, if they had just called my client, he could have told them where his old memos were in the files."

The American Civil Liberties Union expressed outrage, saying "President Obama promised during the campaign he'd end these policies. Now he's putting advocates of those policies to work in secret prisons, depriving them of sleep with loud patriotic music, and forcing them to maintain programs that have kept Americans safe."

A lawyer for another abducted former official said "The Obama Administration says my client's a legal expert on national security law. But he's just a goat herder who got swept up in a raid."

Associated article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/26/AR2009062603361.html; http://optoons.blogspot.com/2009/03/change.html; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/07/AR2009070703332_pf.html; Washington Post; Washington Times; Washington Examiner

Democrats Force Quick Vote on "Cap and Tax" Legislation, Citing an "Escalating Skepticism Crisis” Regarding Climate Warming Theories

Washington, D.C.--Democrats in Congress and President Obama forced swift action on a massive bill to dramatically increase energy costs in the face of what they called an “escalating skepticism crisis” regarding theories that claim human emissions are making the earth warmer.

“In Europe, Japan, and Australia, there is increasing doubt that drastic cuts in energy use are warranted, as the evidence of human-caused global warming proves lacking,” said Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. “If we don’t enact draconian policies now, this window of misinformation might be closed forever.”

Proponents of the “cap and tax” legislation showed reporters a dire depiction of what could be “things to come” if misguided policies are not locked in place now: a lonely Al Gore, increasingly isolated on a twisted theory melting in the face of contrary empirical data.

As the earth’s temperature has flat-lined, even as concentrations of carbon dioxide increase, and research is contradicting what was previously claimed to be a consensus, Administration officials said “we must act now to increase energy costs based on extremely suspect environmental theories before those theories are completely refuted.”

Associated articles: London Times; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124597505076157449.html;
http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2009/06/15_reasons_to_oppose_climate_b.php; http://blogs.usatoday.com/sciencefair/2009/07/could-we-be-wrong-about-global-warming.html; http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZmU0NDMzZTlkM2E5MDBhY2Q4N2ViYTFkNjVmNzU5NTc=; http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZTBiMTRlMDQxNzEyMmRhZjU3ZmYzODI5MGY4ZWI5OWM

Obama Urges Congress to "Set an Example for the World to Follow" by Passing Critical Tooth Fairy Legislation

Washington, D.C.--President Obama has tried to convince the world that releasing terrorist detainees held at Guantanamo Bay doesn't pose a security threat, so other countries might accept them. He has also tried to convince the world that draconian steps should be taken to increase energy costs so emissions he claims increase "global warming" can be reduced worldwide.

But those efforts have met resistance overseas because Americans -- increasingly skeptical of their value -- generally oppose the release of Guantanamo Bay detainees into their own communities and legislation taxing domestic energy consumption.

Today, President Obama used what some called "his inherent moral authority" to prod Americans in a "new direction" by urging Congress to start "setting a better example for other countries to follow" by passing “essential tooth fairy legislation.”

"How can we expect the rest of the world to join us in pursuing bold, new, and untested policies aimed at making the world a better place if we don't do the same here at home?" asked Obama. “That's why I'm calling on Congress to set a new tone by passing legislation requiring all Americans to remove some of their own teeth and place them under their pillows so the tooth fairy can pay us a visit and boost the world economy."

One Administration official added, "If we can get other countries to trust our commitment to the tooth fairy and similar concepts, we'll have a much better chance getting them to pursue other apparently counter-factual policies."

"Americans have always been dreamers," said Obama at the conclusion of his remarks. "Congress needs to live up to that heritage and immediately pass tooth fairy legislation."

Associated articles: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/16/world/16gitmo.html; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR2009052803920_pf.html; http://www.royalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Article/article.jsp?articleId=7d9684e30030001&sectionId=60; http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/06/four-uighurs-settled-in-bermuda.html; http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTIxNTlkNzc5NTM3N2IzYzBlODZiNDRjMGRlYWQxYzE=

Obama Surrenders to Big Government; Signs Instrument of Surrender in Form of Bill Regulating the Cigarettes He Can't Keep Himself from Smoking

Yesterday, President Obama, a longtime and current smoker, officially surrendered to the federal government on behalf of the American people by signing federal legislation regulating cigarettes and other tobacco products. The ceremony took place aboard the deck of the U.S.S. Illinois.

During the ceremony, Obama said, "I am the perfect example of why individuals cannot be expected to use their own abilities and resources to improve their own lives. And if I can't do it, who can? We must look to government for the coercion we need to help reach the result it deems best for us."

The surrender was witnessed by cabinet officials and hundreds of other federal bureaucrats.

"Like many Americans," said Obama, "I often can't be trusted to set a good example for my kids, let alone provide all the parenting necessary to help ensure they do the right thing. This surrender is not something I wanted. But it's something we need as a nation."

Observers said Obama seemed a bit tense by the conclusion of the ceremony, at which time he reached into his suit pocket and quickly ducked behind the nearest flight control tower.

Associated articles: Fox News; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/22/AR2009062202910.html; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/17/AR2009061702802.html

White House Press Corps Struggles to Maintain Objective Distance from President While Sharing His Teleprompter

Washington, D.C.--An overwhelmingly left-leaning press has always found it difficult to maintain the sort of distance from a Democratic President required for objective news coverage. But media insiders say the relationship between the media and the President is becoming “more complicated than ever” now that the White House press corps shares Obama’s teleprompter.

“When the media and the President share a common vision, it only makes sense that they share the same teleprompter feed,” said one media critic. “But we’ve seen too many instances where reporters and the President finish each other’s sentences.”

News producers admit that while being so close to the President makes it easier to make campaign donations, it does have its drawbacks.

For example, during a recent ABC News special that was broadcast from the White House and touted Obama’s health care plan, viewers watched as anchor Charlie Gibson uttered Obama’s trademark “uhm’s” and “er’s” while he and the President struggled to read from the same teleprompter screen. They eventually butted heads.

“It was an awkward moment,” said one studio technician. “It got even worse when Gibson seized the opportunity and gave the President a quick peck on the cheek.”

Media analysts acknowledged that a shared teleprompter raises some technical issues, but dismissed concerns based on journalism ethics.

“The media does its job when it reports the news accurately,” said one source. “And there’s no better way to ensure that’s done than by reading directly from the President’s teleprompter.”

Associated articles: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/31/AR2009053102079.html; http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=330306097960268; http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/Media-Bias-Is-Real-Finds-UCLA-6664.aspx; http://gawker.com/5311055/white-house-press-corps-spent-the-fourth-of-july-hanging-out-with-obama-off-the-record

Obama Sends Sterner Message to Iran from His Personal Blackberry, But Experts Say His Use of Emoticons “May Cloud Message”

As millions of Iranians took to the streets to oppose a theocratic dictatorship, President Obama remained silent for several days, then spoke only tepidly in opposition to the brutal government crackdown on protesters demanding a more democratic Iran.

In an initial statement, Obama said he supported the continued “dialogue” in Iran but wished to avoid “meddling” in its affairs. Roundly criticized by all sides of the political spectrum for such timid remarks in support of liberty and democratic principles, Obama said yesterday that he sent a “sterner” message to the Iranian regime from his personal Blackberry.

But foreign policy analysts immediately expressed concern with the message’s “heavy use of emoticons” that may “muddy the import of its meaning.”

The message, reproduced in the accompanying picture, states “Dear Supreme Leader (and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad)” and begins with “Let me take this opportunity to clarify my earlier remarks.”

“A promising beginning,” remarked one foreign policy expert, “but then you see the emoticon,” referring to the characters :-} indicating “embarrassed smile.”

The next sentence of the message, “I want you to know that I support the protesters,” is followed by the emoticon *<:-) which analysts say indicates “Who do they think I am, Santa Clause?” The message continues “But I also respect your authority to maintain order,” followed by the ;-) “mischievous wink” emoticon. The penultimate sentence reads “I know that democracy can only be maintained if a country follows the rule of law,” which ends with the characters =[:-= , which one expert said “either refers to Abe Lincoln, or the medieval torture device known as the rack.” The message ends with “Please also understand that I do not mean for this email to be seen as meddling in your affairs,” and the accompanying characters 12@>-->-- which, according to experts, is the universally recognized “dozen roses” emoticon representing “abject apology.”

The email is signed “Your friend in denuclearization, Barack.”

When Iranian foreign officials were asked their reaction to the new “sterner” message, they said they had not yet seen it, and that “It probably got sent to the spam folder.”

Associated article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/18/AR2009061803495.html

Obama Requests Increase in Class Warfare Funding

Washington, D.C.--During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama said he would support raising the capital gains tax because it was "fair," even if the resulting changes in economic behavior meant lower tax revenues. And Joe Biden said being coerced to pay more taxes is "patriotic."

Yesterday, the President and Vice-President followed through on their campaign plans and asked Congress to provide greater funding for class warfare to combat the scourge of productivity and investment they said has "caused resentment and divided America."

Emboldened by the success of a strategy in which cigarette and alcohol use has been reduced by the imposition of various “sin taxes,” Obama said he wants “the rich” to pay higher income, payroll, and capital gains taxes so the vice of productive investment can be deterred as well.

“The forces of productivity have made too many inroads into the U.S. economy,” he said. “If we don’t raise taxes now, America will never win the freedom that comes with the higher unemployment and reduced consumption Europeans currently enjoy.”

Standing before a map depicting his strategy, Obama said he was requesting the additional class warfare funds to mount a “surge” in which various tax penalties would be used in a “pincer movement” that would squeeze out profits, make American companies less competitive, and drive jobs and investments overseas.

In his own remarks, Biden added that “While this plan will raise less revenue by discouraging working, saving, and investing, it will invigorate the fighting spirit of those who want more taken from others. And that's what America's all about.”

Associated videos: http://www.freedomandprosperity.org/videos/classwarfare/classwarfare.shtml; http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2008/09/bidens_patriotic_taxes_comment.html; associated article: http://www.reason.com/news/show/128900.html

Obama Plan Calls for Making Health Care System More Efficient by Having Trial Lawyers Provide Medical Services More Directly

Washington, D.C.--Last week, President Obama gave a speech to the American Medical Association in which he made clear that while frivolous lawsuits are major drivers of excessive health care costs, he would oppose any efforts to restrict potentially unlimited “jackpot” damage awards.

Yesterday, Obama addressed another group, the American Trial Lawyers Association, and further defined his plan to reform the health care system.

“We all know the threat of bankrupting lawsuits in our ‘jackpot justice’ system causes doctors to engage in wasteful ‘defensive medicine’ in which they prescribe drugs and order extra medical tests that aren’t necessary in order to reduce their risks of liability,” said the President. “That’s why I’m proposing that medical services and operations be performed right in the courtroom, where lawyers can provide advice to doctors and patients in real-time, limiting litigation transaction costs.”

Obama said his plan would free up hospital beds and produce savings that could be used to help cover the high costs of defensive medicine.

“Under my plan,” said Obama, “medical records could be accessed instantly by both doctors and lawyers for both sides in the inevitable litigation,” avoiding duplication costs. “And already-empaneled juries could immediately render verdicts that reflect the emotions of the moment following an adverse health event, regardless of any fault on the part of the doctor.”

Administration officials added that trial lawyers could collect their one-third contingency fees from damage awards right there in the courtroom, while doctors would only have to walk a short distance to bankruptcy court down the hall.

“It’s time to put the ‘Doctor’ back in ‘Juris Doctor’,” said Obama, concluding his remarks to thunderous applause.

Associated articles: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124511987247017719.html; http://cboblog.cbo.gov/?p=293; http://commongood.org/learn-reading-cgpubs-opeds-15.html;
http://commongood.org/learn-reading-cgpubs-polls-6.html; http://www.nber.org/papers/w5466

EXCLUSIVE: GM Unveils More Aggressive Post-Bailout Commercial

General Motors' most recent television ad, called "re: invention," was criticized by some for taking a timid and defensive approach to luring new customers. In the ad, a narrator states "Let's be completely honest ... General Motors needs to start over to get stronger" and refers to the company's bankruptcy proceedings. It does not, however, refer to the $50 billion in taxpayer money that was used to bail out the company to date.

In response, media insiders say GM is on the verge of releasing a new version of the ad which company officials say "is equally honest," but takes "a more direct, bottom-line approach" to convincing consumers they should buy a GM car.

This publication obtained an advance copy of the new ad, and readers can view it below.

Associated articles: New York Times; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/11/AR2009061104213.html

In Televised Debate, Obama Deftly Confronts Straw Men, Explains Phantom Baseline By Which Administration Policies Should Be Judged

Washington, D.C.--President Obama laid down a gauntlet last night, agreeing for the first time to a face-to-face televised debate with the various straw men he says have unfairly criticized his policies.

Following Obama’s explanation that the baseline for expected budget savings should be the costs of war efforts no one suggested funding, he opened yesterday’s debate by explaining how the fairness of his proposals should be measured against a phantom baseline of terrifying government policies no one’s ever proposed.

“Some say I acted unfairly by forcing auto company bondholders to accept equity stakes of just 9% while granting 20% to the unions whose overly generous wage and benefits programs helped drive the companies to bankruptcy,” said Obama. “But I think the American people will understand the choice I made was the only one consitent with our values, considering the alternative was making auto company stakeholders eat syringes.”

In a largely one-sided exchange of ideas, the straw men reiterated their usual arguments, saying “We should just to do nothing,” “We can address these issues with half-steps and piecemeal measures,” and “While our opponent chooses unity and hope, we support road rage and peach phobias."

Obama took the offensive to thunderous applause, stating “I reject the philosophy that says every problem can be solved if only the government flooded houses with molasses.”

Finally, the president offered an emphatic retort to end the debate. “No longer,” he said, “will we accept the notion that hate and fear can fulfill all our nation’s energy needs.”

Associated articles: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/02/republicans-expected-war-savings-obama-budget-suggest-fuzzy-math/; http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=477978; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/04/AR2009020403174.html; http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/us/politics/24straw.html?ref=politics

After Granting Terrorists Miranda Rights, Obama Authorizes Use of Lawyers to Act as Terrorists’ Human Shields

Afghanistan--After reversing a previous position in which he said terrorists should not be granted Miranda rights, President Obama took what national security experts say was the next logical step in his law enforcement approach to terrorism by authorizing defense lawyers to act as terrorists’ protective human shields.

Addressing reporters at a press conference to announce the new policy, Obama said “Under my Administration, we’ve already taken the step of advising terrorists of their right to remain silent and their right to consult an attorney. Today I build on that policy by announcing terrorists will have additional legal rights in the form of attorney human shields.”

Borrowing former Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein's strategy in which civilians were used to protect military targets from attack, Obama said he was adapting the tactic to “further the bedrock American principle that says everyone deserves a phalanx of lawyers.”

“The laws of war prohibit the targeting of civilians and don't afford captured enemy combatants the right to a lawyer,” said Obama. “If terrorists don’t follow the laws of war, we shouldn’t either. Hence, my policy of lawyers for terrorists.”

Administration officials added that the element of surprise is essential to winning the war on terror, and "the last thing terrorists will expect is that we’d surround them with civilian legal counsel."

When asked whether the new shield policy itself violated the laws of war, Administration officials said it did not, explaining that “technically, lawyers aren’t human.”

Associated article: http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/016/605iidws.asp; associated video: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/06/10/flashback_obama_says_detainees_dont_deserve_miranda_rights.html; http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-fbi28-2009may28,0,694540.story

CBS Previews First Episode of “Survivor: Palau;” Show Features Team of Former Detainees Released from Guantanamo Bay

Los Angeles, California.—CBS previewed the latest season of its popular “Survivor” television series to an audience of Los Angeles media critics yesterday.

The network announced that as a result of the Obama administration’s negotiations with the island of Palau – and $200 million in advertising paid for by the federal government -- contestants on “Survivor: Palau” include several former detainees released from Guantanamo Bay. The detainees are members of a Uighur ethnic group affiliated with a designated terrorist organization that seeks to establish a radical Islamic theocracy throughout South and Central Asia.

While some critics complained the contest was shaping up to be “a bit of a mismatch” -- pitting a college cheerleader and a travel agent against religious extremists who received military instruction at an al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist training camp – others praised the series as a “microcosmic experiment in facilitating global harmony.”

In the episode previewed, the former Guantanamo Bay detainees lose a coconut chopping contest, putting them at risk of elimination. “They kept sawing back and forth with the blade,” said one critic. “That seemed to really slow them down.”

The ex-detainees go on to win the next challenge, but are disqualified after hurling at their opponents the same noxious cocktail of feces and bodily fluids they threw at guards during a March, 2003, prison riot.

One critic, excitedly describing the show’s last segment, revealed that the ex-detainees announce their intention to protest the Tribal Council’s democratic procedures by detonating a plastic bottle filled with their own methane gas. Then, in yet another dramatic turn of events, the ex-detainees win immunity after the show’s producers interrogate them in an overly aggressive manner in an attempt to discover the bomb’s location.

“The thing is, though,” said the critic, “they don’t discover the bomb.”

CBS officials had no comment on the content of future episodes.

Associated articles: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/194/story/771303.html; http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/world/10palau.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper; http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/04/the_uighurs_in_their-print.php; http://articles.latimes.com/2009/apr/24/nation/na-gitmo-release24; http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/tg92.htm; http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Information_paper:_Uighur_Detainee_Population_at_JTF-GTMO; http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h0PvMT3xGXLwI-2KwkOThMJToprwD99A604O0; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/31/AR2009103102140.html

Obama Appoints Russian Mystic Rasputin “Psychic Economic Adviser to the Czars”

Washington, D.C.--Earlier this year, the Obama Administration warned that if Congress failed to pass legislation allowing government control over large-scale taxpayer-funded spending projects, the unemployment rate would rise to 8.8% by this month. Congress enacted such legislation, but since then the unemployment rate has risen to 9.4%, indicating the $787 billion stimulus bill was not worth the cost.

Disappointed by his government’s failure to accurately predict the economic results of its own programs, President Obama rejected a return to capitalism and instead announced his appointment of yet another cabinet member.

“Although I’ve created a variety of ‘czars,’ from car czars to corporate payment czars,” Obama told reporters, “they haven’t been able to agree on how best to produce the jobs America needs. I need someone to manage inter-czar disputes, and who better to do that than the mystic Grigori Rasputin, famed psychic counselor to Czar Nicholas II.”

“Mr. Rasputin did an excellent job stemming the uncontrolled bleeding of the hemopheliac son of a Russian monarch,” said Obama, “and I’m confident he can also help stem massive job losses in the U.S. economy.”

While critics say no group of government regulators could ever reproduce the efficient allocation of jobs and resources that result from a free market in which millions of unique individuals engage in mutually beneficial and voluntary transactions, Obama predicted such critics would come around “once they gaze into Rasputin’s freaky deaky, all-seeing eyes.”

Insiders said Rasuptin has already discerned that Obama's policies have "saved" 150,000 jobs that would have otherwise been lost. When asked how the number of jobs "saved" could ever be verified, administration sources said the figure was derived from "macroeconomic estimates provided by the Ouija Board of Economic Statistics."

Associated materials: http://otrans.3cdn.net/45593e8ecbd339d074_l3m6bt1te.pdf; http://michaelscomments.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/stimulus-vs-unemployment-may2.gif; http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124451592762396883.html; http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Obama-repackages-stimulus-apf-15470798.html; http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1466397368167658753&ei=wtYtSuHCM4nKqgKDnbW0Cg&q=%22commanding+heights%22+hayek&hl=en; associated video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJu0DgpiK8c&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpajamasmedia%2Ecom%2Finstapundit%2F&feature=player_embedded

Obama Orders Millions of Roses Airlifted to Europe as Part of Massive Overseas Apology Operation

President Obama announced the start of a massive overseas relief operation in which millions of roses will be airlifted to Europe and elsewhere around the world in the largest global apology effort the world has ever seen.

Following on his many previous apologies for America’s alleged arrogance, genocide, and torture -- and even its bombing of Hiroshima that ended World War II -- Obama ordered Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to use his authority under federal spending legislation to “express my heartfelt apology for America’s failure to elect me earlier.”

Obama also apologized for the Twenty-second Amendment to the Constitution, which limits presidents to serving only two terms, explaining “That amendment was ratified before I was born.”

The airlift will include bouquets of multi-colored roses, tastefully interspersed with green sprigs and white flags.

Following his remarks, Obama laid a wreath at a newly-erected Memorial to the Unborn Obama, which depicts tragedies from America’s past that occurred prior to his ability to alter the course of human events.

Associated articles: Associated Press; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/29/AR2009012903444.html; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/09/AR2009040903367.html; http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/10/world-stage-obama/

Associated video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM1QigkSH8E&feature=player_embedded

Scientists Say "Warm and Fuzzy" Feelings Generated by Environmental Initiatives Increase Global Warming

Thousands of people buy hybrid cars, use fluorescent bulbs, and bring reusable bags to the grocery store in the hopes of reducing global warming. But now psychologists are expressing concern that such efforts, while doing nothing to appreciably limit emissions, are instead engendering "warm and fuzzy" feelings that can increase body temperature and contribute to global warming.

A panel of scientists showed reporters infrared images of people shopping for a Prius, buying organic foods, and using low-flush toilets. They all demonstrated increased "warm and fuzzy" emissions.

“While what these people are doing isn’t appreciably affecting global temperatures,” said one scientist, “what they’re feeling while doing it is.” The panel concluded the slight rises in body temperature caused by feel-good activities would most likely offset the negligible effect they have on the environment.

The psychologists called people suffering from this affliction "enviro”-mental cases and suggested mitigating measures, such as dousing with cold water, to help them snap out of it.

“And when dousing,” said one scientist, “use regular tap water, not bottled water.”

Associated articles: Rasmussen; Washington Post; Newsweek; Washington Examiner; National Review; The Australian; Weekly Standard

Treasury Secretary Geithner Takes Comedy Routine on the Road

Peking, China.--Language posed no barrier to the universal humor of government incompetence as Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner started his "World Tour of Comedy" yesterday in China. The tour is intended to assuage foreign governments' fears that their loans to the U.S. won’t be repaid.

Speaking to a capacity crowd at Peking University, Geithner donned his trademark sequin-covered leather jacket and upturned collar and regaled the audience with dozens of “bottom liners.”

“My staff told me our 2009 federal budget deficit was set to reach 13% of our gross domestic product,” he said. “13%! Can you believe it? I told them 13’s unlucky, so let’s make it 14% instead. D'oh!”

The Chinese finance minister was spotted doubled over in laughter as Geithner kept them coming.

“We were spending so much taxpayer money at Treasury we ran out of ways to use it. I started grinding it up and snorting it.”

Halfway through the performance, as the crowd's laughter turned nervous, Geithner tried to offer some reassurance.

“Hey, don’t worry,” he said. “We’re going to cut our deficit by reforming our health care system. Now you might ask how spending trillions for a new entitlement program will reduce concerns about the deficit? Well that’s just the money we’ll be spending on Prozac.”

Sensing the audience had begun to turn hostile, Geithner cut his performance short. As he ran off the stage, he could be heard yelling “Hey, I don’t pay all my taxes either!”

Associated articles: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/5423650/Geithner-insists-Chinese-dollar-assets-are-safe.html; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124398801277079489.html

News Brief: Obama Puts Spelling Bee Winner in Charge of Education Policy

Washington, D.C.--Earlier this year, President Obama selected a 31-year-old who had never run a business or set foot in an automotive assembly plant to oversee the dismantling of the General Motors auto company.

Today, Obama announced he had selected Sameer Gunturi, the winner of the 2009 National Spelling Bee, to spearhead his education reforms.

“Sameer can spell ‘staphylococci,’” said Obama, “so I’m confident he can spell ‘success’ for America's education system as well.”

Associated article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/01/business/01deese.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss

Obama Backtracks on Pledge to Keep White House “Free of Lobbyist Influence” as All Federal Employees Become Lobbyists for General Motors

Washington, D.C.--President Obama, who pledged during the campaign to keep his administration free of influence by lobbyists, has had to backtrack from that commitment after the White House takeover of General Motors made all federal government employees lobbyists for the auto company.

Now that the U.S. government owns GM and will simultaneously serve as its regulator, tax collector, customer, and lender, the entire federal workforce must now devote itself to helping ensure that government regulatory, tax, sales, and lending policies support the interests of its own bankrupt company. As one Treasury official said, “That requires a lot of lobbyists, so it’s all hands on the deck of the Titanic.”

Commerce Department employees will focus on lobbying for less stringent fuel efficiency standards that would help GM sell more of its most profitable full-size trucks and sports utility vehicles. At the same time, employees of the Environmental Protection Agency will lobby for stronger fuel efficiency standards. Treasury Department employees will lobby for rules that maximize the company’s chances of providing a better return on investments, while lobbyists at the Internal Revenue Service will seek changes that generate more taxes to prop up the failing company. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will lobby for more GM factories overseas, which the Labor Department will lobby against.

White House officials said the massive, cross-purpose lobbying effort would require extensive oversight, with press secretary Robert Gibbs telling reporters the President intends to appoint a “lobbying czar.”

Associated articles: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124381322189670529.html#printMode; http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19961.html